You must pass both projects and homework, and exams separately to pass the class. Specifically, if you get less than 60% on your projects and homework or less than 60% on your exams, you will not pass the course.

I may curve final grades at the end of the semester. However, I will never curve individual assignments or exams. If I curve and how much I curve is at my discretion.

Projects and Homework

Projects and homework will be due on approximately a weekly basis. Unless otherwise noted, projects and homework are due at the beginning of the class period indicated on the web page. If the due date is a holiday and KU offices are closed, the due date becomes the next class period. Late homework assignments are not accepted. You must turn in 70% of your assignments on time to receive a passing grade in the course. If you have a valid excuse for being late, a new due date will be assigned.

Please submit your projects and homework using the KU Blackboard system unless otherwise specified. This is the only thing we will use blackboard for.

Project Descriptions

Web Repository

All project and homework assignments, exams, solutions and handouts you receive in class are linked to the
EECS 762 homepage. In general, I will not distribute hard copies of assignments in class. All documents will be published using the Adobe PDF standard.

Exams

All exams are closed book, closed notes, in-class exams. The final exam will be held during the time assigned by the University in our regular classroom.

Classroom Policies

The Three Commandments

Pretty simple. Follow them and we’ll be great friends!

Don’t whine

Don’t cheat

Don’t tell me what you don’t need to know

Class Participation

I do not take attendance in class; however participation in class is important to your success, however participation in class is important to its success. How much homework and how rigorously it is graded will definitely depend on class participation. Please ask questions and participate in class discussions. When assigning final grades, borderline cases will be decided based on class participation.

Grading Errors

If I have made an error in grading an exam or assignment, you have two weeks following the date the item is available to see me about
correcting the problem. Note that this includes the final! After that time, your grade is set and will not be changed. I also request that you wait 24 hours after an exam is returned before coming to me with questions.

Curving

I may decide to curve final scores when the quarter is over. Whether I curve and how much I curve is at my discretion. I will never curve up, but may curve down. Specifically, 90% and above will always be an “A”, but I may choose to lower the cutoff percentage. Whether I curve and how much I curve is at my discretion. I will never curve scores on an individual graded assignment, lab or exam.

Email

I encourage you to use email to contact me. I am logged in whenever I am working and check my mail frequently. Email is my preferred means of communication.

Blog

The course blog is available on the website. I will post late-breaking news about projects, homework and class administration on the blog. Check the website and blog freqently, particularly around project due dates and exams.

Phone

Feel free to call me in any of my office at any time. I would prefer not to be called at home.

Office Hours

I will make every effort to be in my office during scheduled office hours. If there are exceptions, I will let you know as early as is possible. If you have a conflict with my office hours, please make an appointment. I have an open door policy, you are free to come by whenever you choose. If I am busy, I may ask that you come back later, but please don’t hesitate to knock!

Cheating

Academic misconduct of any kind will automatically result in a 0 score on the homework, lab, project, or exam in question and your actions will be reported to the department chair. Your homework, exams and projects must be individually prepared unless otherwise noted. Posting your assignments to internet discussion lists is considered academic misconduct. Sharing your solutions with others is considered academic misconduct. Turning in solutions from previous semesters is considered academic misconduct. Paying people to prepare solutions is academic misconduct. Automated mechanisms are available for checking the originality of source code. Please spend your time trying to solve assigned problems rather than trying to get around the system. Don’t risk it!

Excuses

Excusing a missed exam or assignment is left to the discretion of the instructor. Illness, family emergencies, and religious observances are examples of acceptable excuses. Computer down time, over sleeping, and social events are examples of unacceptable excuses. Please try to let me know of problems in advance when possible and be prepared to provide verification of your excuse.

Extensions

As a policy, I do not extend due dates of homework and projects. If I choose to do so, I will only announce the extension in class, via email or on the blog. If you hear an extension has been granted and I have not announced it, your information is incorrect. Remember that if I grant extensions early in the semester, it will necessarily compress due dates the end of the semester.

Dress Code

Ties are expressly forbidden in my classroom. If you wear one you will be taunted mercilessly. Exceptions are made for bow ties which we all know are cool.

Topics

We will cover topics in roughly the same order as our text. I will also add miscellaneous topics throughout the semester. Specific topics are subject to change without notice and topics marked “(tentative)” will be covered as time permits.